TV, books.

Much enjoyed Sunday's first episode of Small Island, the BBC's adaptation of Andrea Levy's award winning book. I confess that while I admired the novel I wasn't much moved or drawn into into it, whereas the tv version is heart-rending. I must find the book and re-read it to see what I missed.

On a less serious note, I absolutely love the tv comedy series Miranda, starring Miranda Hart. We are all in fits of laughter. Don't know why she got some bad reviews as she's extremely funny.

Also ejoyed all the Alan Bennett stuff, of course. Maybe somebody will give me his new bk for Xmas, hint, hint.

Encouraging review of Paris Imperfect on Amazon. 'I was attracted by the witty cover, and the inside certainly didn't disappoint. Susie Vereker has the gift of creating really amusing characters, who are so convincing one feels they must be people she actually knows. I enjoyed the gentle pace of the book,with the tension of Clio not quite getting together with gorgeous Joe and not quite having the courage to cut loose from domineering Philippe, - until the satisfactory end. Greatly looking forward to Susie's next book now.' Ahem, my characters are NOT people I know - that would be improper.

Misc recent cultural stuff Part I

Hampton Court
Strongly recommend a visit to Hampton Court Palace on the River Thames. Even at this early stage of the year the gardens are stunning, so stunning that we didn’t spend much time inside, but we saw the King’s Apartments, with excellent audio guide. The interior of the palace is more complicated than the famous maze, but we did find the Tudor kitchens too, with real log fire and turnspit. The gardens are free at the moment but I believe you have to pay to see the formal sections in summer. Well worth the trip. (Photos to follow next week - currently on son's camera. I thought of buying an extra lead to download them here but was too mean to spend £13)

Jindabyne
The local film club had mixed views about this critically admired sombre film. Having lived in Australia, I more or less enjoyed it, but some Hampshire gents were heard to mutter ‘liked the fishing scenes but not much else.’ The plot is that four ordinary guys go fishing in the remote Snowy Mountains in summer. After walking for miles, they find a body of an Aboriginal girl in a stream but don’t bother reporting it until they have finished their weekend trip. Their friends and families are not impressed by this casual behaviour, particularly Laura Linney who plays the tricky role of a nervous depressive wife. I kept hoping they’d catch the girl’s killer, a sinister electrician, but it isn’t that sort of film – it’s more about sad, murky, mysterious moods and beautiful scenery.
The Guardian buff and others thought highly of it, but I wouldn’t call it a must-see.

Paris Imperfect review
Many thanks to Ex Libris blogger in the US for her encouraging review of Paris Impefect. She found it 'an entertaining romance that has realistic characters with whom readers can relate'. She added 'While reading I found myself becoming irritated with Clio and her tendency to procrastinate. Then I realized that if it were me, I would probably react the same way.'

US Journal Review - Paris Imperfect

An encouraging review from the US journal Booklist: "Twice-married Englishwoman Clio Forrester is living what she thinks is the perfect life in Paris, working as a private tour guide. She and her son Alex..live with her boyfriend Philippe in his pristine flat. Philippe is everything a woman wants in a man—cultured, handsome, well-off. So what if he constantly wants her to lose weight or if his mother does not bother to hide her disdain? Everything starts to change, however, after she conducts one of many tours of the French battlefields. She is escorting an American couple, who gives her grief, and a handsome Canadian, who gives her goose bumps...Vereker delivers a triumphant tale of a modern Englishwoman living abroad that will appeal to American readers looking for a sophisticated romance."

Good news: have just discovered that Paris Imperfect will be out in trade paperback (the large kind of pb) in September at £10.99.

September morning

I've just added a new blog About Susie Vereker's books. Mostly trumpet blowing really, just in case readers want to know more.

Ceanothus, books and Bangkok

Busy on the domestic and family front at the moment so not much time to blog. Above is today's garden pic. Thanks for your advice, Juliet. May replant sweet cecily somewhere safer. Ground-cover plants are sometimes inclined to cover rather too much ground.
Delighted that blogger Sablonneuse liked Pond Lane and Paris and also that the UN Women's Guild in Geneva have selected An Old-Fashioned Arrangement as a book club read.
Sad to hear that the house we lived in in Bangkok has been pulled down to make way for a shopping centre. I guess it was a very valuable site and so HMG was tempted to sell. I wonder what will happen to the rest of that wonderful green oasis that is the Embassy compound. More on this when I have time.

German Pond Lane and Paris

A five-star Amazon review of the German edition of Pond Lane and Paris (von Liebe kriegt man nie genug) as "translated" by Google. I wouldn't want to spoil it by improvements - "A very warm-hearted novel about a widow's life and love rediscovered. The protagonist Laura quickly grew fond of me. Their love for the Cottage and doing things their way, I was instantly sympathetic. It was the development of this wonderful woman notice, places were really heartrending. It is difficult, the mood in the book with a word to describe. . It was as a man lies on a warmed by the sun or lawn as if after a stressful day comes home and lovingly received. The book is easy to read comfortably, radiates warmth and a relaxing effect. . The author of the book has very well structured and describes the feelings of the protagonist understandable. The fluid writing style makes the book very well read. I would be pleased more of this author in the fingers. "